Automatic box-covering machine.



P. S. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BOX COVERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Ulunum P. S. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BOX COVERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

912,745. Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

P. S. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BOX COVERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

w; inane a! ,WM.

P. S. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BOX COVERING MAGHINL.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

I] l we n for.

P/W/p 5 6/77/29? 7 SHBETSSHEET 4.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

MM m w P. S. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BOX COVERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JULY 9, 1903.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Ii miii Z /7///fi 66/77/777 v Wilinwmza Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

P. S. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BOX COVERING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

912,745. I Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

'7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Flume" for QRK hunk) P. S. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC BOX covmme MACHINE.

ABPLIOATION IILED JULY 9, 1903.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

7 SHEETS-SHEET '7.

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PHILIP S. SMITH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC BOX-COVERING MAGHIN'E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1c, 1909.

Application filed m 9, 1903. Serial No. 164,787.

To all whom it may concern:

Belt known that I, PHILIP S. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and UHOfUl'Il'fl rovcments'in Automatic Boxering blank, the box is thencentered u on the blank, and the box with its blank is t en placed upon the plunger of the box covering machine, in position to be carried through the machinc, these operations being performed. by hand.

In the machine forming the subject matter of the present application the operation of applying the adhesive material to the blank and the feeding of the blank and the boxto j so the machine, are performed automatically;

The objects of this'invention then, are to provide ineansfor applying adhesive material toone face of a covering. blank; means for automatically transferring the covering blank from. the adhesive ap lying means to a box covering machine, an means for automatieally feeding a box to be covered in position beneath the plunger of the box covering machine; the said transferring and box leeding mechanisms being automatically actuated through suitable connections with operating parts-of the box covering machine, in such manner that they will operate in timed relation one with the other.

Briefly and generally stated, the invention coi'nprises novel means for applying adhesive material to the entire surface of a covering blank, said means'com rising essentially a rotary drum or cylinder having suitable gripi'ng devices to engage and support a covermg blank thereon; means actuated from the driving shaft of the box covering machine for transferring the blank from the said drum or cylinder to the covering mechanism in position beneath the plunger, thereof; means for feeding the boxes in position to be moved beneath-the plunger of the box covering ma chine, said means being actuated from a part of the co'vering devices of said machine; and

means for automatically feedinguthe boxes,

one by one, beneath the said 10 nger, said last named means being also actuated from. a part of the box covering machine.

In order to enable others to clearly understand, make and use my said invention I will now proceed to describe the same in detail reference being made for this purpose to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete automatic blank gumming and box covering machine constructed according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fi 3 is a plan View. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the blank gumming mechanism shown detached from the covering machine. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gumming mechanism showing the blank gripping Fig. 7 is a view of the gearing for operating t blank gummin mechanism,

said View looking at the oppos1te side of the.

machine from that illustrated in Fig. 4.

Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of parts of the.

gumming mechanism. Fig. 10 is a plan view of one-half of the slide or carriage constituting a part of the transferring mechanism for the covering blank. Fi 11 is a front elevation of the same, the trac upon which the slide or carriage moves being shown in section. Fig. 12 1s a side elevation of the o crating means for the gripping fingers of t e transferring mechanism. Fi s. 13 and 14 are detail side elevations of the gripper fingers of the gumming mechanism, said views showing the fingers in open and closed positions respectively. Fig. 15 is a view in end elevation showing the means for sulporting the box beneath the plun er, t e atter being shown elevated above thehox and in position to enter the same on its descent. Fig.'16 is a side elevation of the box feeding means. Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail view of .20, is a detail view'partly in section of one of the gripper fingers.

As I have elected to show my improvements as applied to a box covering machine of the ty e ustrated in my former Letters Patent 0. 691,329, I will first describe in a brief way, the several parts of said machine with which the .present improvements cooperate and throu h which they are actuated, and while I ave illustrated many of the details of said patented machine, I donot deem it necessary to again describe the same except where certain parts cooperate with the improvements.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the letter a, designates the table 'of the machine which supports the four adjustable slides I), carrying the various covering devices, comprising the four sets of covering rollers, end turn-in wings, ed etuck-infin ers and' resser blocks, all of w ich are fu set orth and described in my aforesaid patent, and which 0 erate to completely a ply the covering b ank to the box. The l etter c designates the vertically reciprocating plun er carrying the twoart form block d, said phmger being .0 erate by thelever e, which is actuated by t e cam f, mounted upon the,main shaft g, said shaft receiving its rotary motion throu h the worm gear h, u on the power shaft 2', t e said latter named s aft being provided with a driving pulley j. The machine is provided with a as in my prior patent, and

platen upon w ich platen the covering blank is deposited by the novel transferring mechamsm forming a part of this invention and which will presently be described.

According to -the present invention the covering blanks are first fed one by one, b

' hand, to the glue applying mechanism whic blan applies glue to one face thereof, and are then automatically transferred from the said glue applying mechanism to the box covering machine and deposited upon the platen thereof in position to be enga ed by the box as it is brought down by t e form block which is operated b theplun er. The box and its blank are t en carrie through the box-covering machine and the blank aflixed to the sides and ends of the box in precisely the same manner as set forth in my said PIII'lOI patent, the finished box according to t e transferring means uring the operation of the latter in depositing a gummed blank upon the platen. I

I wil first describe the blank gumniing mechanism; then the means for tranferring the gummed blanks to thebox covering ma-' chine, and then-the means for feeding the boxes beneath the form-block and for sup porting them in position to be entered by said form block onits descent toward the covering devices.

gumming mechcnism.-Mounted on suitable supports 20, is a glue vessel or pan 21, to each side of which is secured a frame 22. In each frame 22 is a slot 23, in which presentmaohine bein ejected by the slides a journal block 24. (See Fig. 6). A drum 25 has its shaft 26 journaled in the blocks 24, and. is thus rotatably supported in the frames, and readily removable therefrom when desired by reason of the blocks 24 being raisable in the slots. A ortion of the drum has a series of slots 27,'t rough which pioject radially, a number of blank clamping gers 28, having hooked extremities, that tend to engage the surface of the drum be yond-the slotted portion. A rod 29 extends from one end of the drum to the other, on which slide a number of heads 30. In an a erture in each of these heads slides oneof t 1e fingers 28; and a coil spring 31 on the finger between the, block and its enlarged lower end, serves to normally force the hooked ends of each finger against the drum. A form or templet 32, of the exact outline of the blank to be gummed, composed of card-board or the like, is pasted or otherwise secured to the drum, and upon this form the cover blank 32 to be gumnied is placed, so

that one end margin Wlll be engaged by the hooked fingers to hold the same upon-the drum during the gumming operation. A gum appl ing roller 32 is rotatably supported be 0W the drum so that it will just clear the surface of the drum, but will engage the blank secured by the fin ers 28, to the form 32, and thus gum the b ank when the drum is rotated. A roller 33 serves to take up the adhesive contained in the pan 2], and coat the roller 32*. p

In order to raise the fingers 28 from the drum to permit the placing of the blank on the form 32, and to retain them raised, I providea rock-plate 34, pivoted at its ends in the heads of the'drum, and to one of the pivots outside of the drum is secured a crank 35.

A plate 36 is slidable vertically in the frame.

22, and carries a stop pin 37, that engages the extremity of the crank 35. A lever 38 is fulcrumed at an intermediate part of a cleat 39, that is secured to the frame 22, and has one portion slotted and engaging a curved pin 40, secured to the plate 36. A coil spring 41 connects the other end of the lever 38 with the frame 22, and tends to retain the lever with the plate in its elevated position. The lever 38,- is connected between its fulcrum and the slotted end with a suitable operating lever or treadle 41 pivoted to the lower part of the gummi'ng machine. These several parts are so arranged that, the spring 41 holding the plate elevated, the pin37 on the latter will so rock the crank 35, and plate 34, as to cause the latter late to retain the fingers 28 raised from t e drum;"tl1e tension of the spring 39 being sufficient to overcome that of the springs on the several fingers. The plate 36 has on its upper edge two cam faces 36 and 36*, between which is a notch 36 and a depression. 36 the purpose of which will presentl appear. A lug 42, on the head of 'tinue to revolve, without affecting the drum.

the drum norm'ally extends into this notch, and thereby prevents the drum from rotating, but on the treadle being de resse'cl, the plate 35 will be lowered so that t e lug 42 is clear of both walls of the notch, and the drum is free to berotated, by anypreferred means; If rotated clockwise, it wil be readily seen, that since the lug 42, and crank 35, travel with the drum, upon the treadle being released and. the plate 36, raised, the lug will not now reenter the notch, but will slide over the cam face 36"; also, that the end of tion of. the drum at this point.

the crank 35 will have assed away'from the pin 37, and hence the lingers will be tightly clamped on the blank by their individual springs. When the blank ripped by the finers reaches the lower 'patfiof the drum, the lank will wipe against the gumming roller, 32, and receive a coating of the adhesive. And as the drum approaches the end of a complete revolution, the hi 42 will first engage the cam face 36, an then enter the depression 36 which constitutes a preliminary stop, thus temporarily arresting the rota-.

The remainder of the revolution wlll be completed by means of the blank transferring device'prese'ntly to be described, and durin this last movement the lug will cause thepl ate 36, to move downwards until at the end of the revolution, the lug comes op osite the notch 36, when the spring 39, w 1 again elevate theplate with the ug lying in the notch. The wall of the cam 36 forming also a wall of v the notch, is made higher than the opposite will, thus constituting an abutment for/the lug 42 preventing the-drum moving after the lug registers with the notch. This latter elevation of the plate 36 will also cause the pin 37, on 'the ate to strike the crank 35, and raise the atter, which, as above set forth, will raise the fingers from the form on the drum, and retain them in such position.

My preferred means for rotating the drum is as follows :A mutilated gear wheel 43 is secured to the shaft of the drum. A gear 44 driven from any suitable source at a uniform speed, rotates a gear 45,, and also a gear 46 secured to the gumming roller. When the drum is in the locked position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the toothless portion of the gear 43 is ad'acent-the gear 45, and the rotation of. the l atter does not affect the .mutilated gear. But when, by the depression of the treadle, the drum is released and free to rotate, a weight 47 carried by arms 48, 48, that are secured to the shaft of the drum, serves to partiall rotate the drum by grew ity until the toot red portion of the gear 43, is in'engag'em'ent ith the revolving gear 44. Thereupon, the drum will continue to complete' the revolution; at the end of which the toothless ortion of the gear 43, will again be opposite t e gear 45, and the latter will com- In order to prevent too rapid rotation of the drum by the weight which would bring the teeth on therg'ear 45, into engagement with the gear 43mm a shock that might strip the gear teeth, I arrange a lever 47 suitably pivoted on the frame, having a beveled end 47, and a notch 47, adjacent; which latter will engage a stop-pin 48, on the gear 43, and will arrest the gear 43, and drum just before the teeth on the gear 43, are brought into ongagement with the gear 45- But upon the continued rotation of the gear 45, a pin 49 thereon will trip the lever 47, releasing the gear 45 and -drum.- The weight 47 will then cause the gears 43 and 45 to engage, and the drum will continue its revolution.

The operation of the hereinbefore described parts is as follows:-The covering blank is fed forward by hand from a suitable table onto the form 32, the clamping fingers being in the raised position, as before explained. Then u on the treadle being depressed the blan will be gripped to the drum by the fingers, and {during the rotation of the drum the blank will be gummed as described and then returned to the upper position and arrested at the preliminary 'stop. Thereupon, the blank is transferred to the box covering means by suitable transferring mechanism which will now be described.

. The gumming mechanism, it will be noted, is not entirely automatic, butis controlled by the operator through the treadle; the other mechanisms conducive to theproduction of a completely covered box, are'however, entirely automatic in their operation; viz. the means for transferring the gummed' blank from the gumming drum or member to the covering mechanism; the means for feeding the box to be covered to the covering mechanism; the means for ap )lyjng the gummed blank to the box; and, nally the means for-delivering the covered box from the machine.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, .2, 10 and 11, on each side of the machine are a pair of guide bars 50, extending from the covering machine to the gunuuing machine, on each of which slides a grip-block or carriage 51. carries a rotatable shaft 52, having a crank 53, secured thereto and to each crank pivoted a connecting rod 54. A shaft 1s ournaled near the base of the gumnung machine, and to each end is secured an up right arm 56, that are pivotally connected, res ectively, with the slot-ted ends of said rm 5 54. An arm 57 is secured to an inter mediate part of the shaft 55, and a rod 58, connects this arm with a lever 59. On this latter named lever is a roller 60, that engages the walls of a groove 61 in a grooved disk 62, on the main shaft g of the covering ma- Each of these blocks or carriages disposed as to roc chine as shown in Fi 19. The groove is so the lever 59, and, through the several parts just described, cause the guide-blocks 51, 51, to reciprocateon the guides between the gumming means and covering mechanism. To each of the guide-blocks is secured a plate 63, containing a 'slot 64; these plates extending toward each other on the ids-blocks, (see Figs. 11 'to 14). A bar 65 1S adjustably secured to each plate 63 by a bolt 66 passing through the bar and through the slot in the plate. The bar 65 extends beneath the shaft 52, and carries a fixed jaw 67, to which is pivoted a jaw 68, a spring 69, serving to normally keep the jaws apart. On the shaft 52, is secured a plate 70, against which an arm 71 of the movable jaw 67 is pressed by the said spring 69. Since the slot 64, is parallel with the shaft 52, when the bar 65, and jaws are adjusted in various positions along the plate 63, the arm 70, of the movable jaw, will remain in engagement with the plate 71, in these various positions.

When the rods 54 are operated to move the grips or carriages. 51 from the covering machine towards the mining machine, the cranks 53, will first be rocked until they contact with the stop pins 72 on the blocks, whereupon the grip blocks will be advanced the jaws being open. But upon the reverse movement of the rods 54, the cranks 53 will be rocked in the opposite direction until they strike the pins 73 which cause the plates to close thejaws, as shown in Fig. 14. When the gri ping j awsare moved to the gumming mac ime, at the limit of this movement, they are brought so that the now open jaws will inclose the edge of the gummed blank on the drum 25, and as soon as the rods 54 begin thereturn movement, the jaws will close in on the blank, suitable portions of the plate under the blank being-cut away so that the plate not be .grip ed also. In order to prevent the hooked mgers 28, from interfering with the transfer of the blank as it is being drawn off the drum, 1 rovide an arm 74, secured to one of the'b ocks 51, whicharm has a beveled extremity, and an abutment 75, that engages the end of an arm 7 6, secured to the shaft 29, that carries the gripper fingers 28. This abutment is so located thatas soon as the rods 54,-begin their return movement, the arm 74 will rock the shaft 29 and cause the ripper fingers to retreat into the drum and out of the horizontal path of movement of the blank. The gripping fingers will now carry the blank to the covering devices, and deposit it on the platen is, position to be ap lied to a box. Then, after the'blank has een disposed of the grip ing jaws will be returned for another b ank, all of which operations will be automatically controlled in drum 81.

times rotation to a completion, the grippers at the same time holding the blank. Now when the carriage starts to move toward the covering mechanism in the act of delivering a gummed blank, the abutment 75, on the arm 74, engages the end of arm 76, secured to the shaft 29, carrying the gripper fingers, and rocks said'shaft to cause the fingers to retreat into the drum. This-pull on the arm 76, is sufficient to complete the rotation of the drum, or in other words, to take it from its preliminary stop to its final stop where the lug 42, registers with the notch 36, and at the same time the ripper fingers will be raises freeing the blank, and then almost simultaneously carried down into the drum out of the path of movement of the blank. It will be seen therefore that the object of the preliminary stop which takes lace as the mutilated gear runs out, is to ho d the drum in osition for the grippers to take the blank. The means for conveying the boxes to be covered comprises an intermittently rotated endless belt 80, passing around an actuating drum 81, mounted on a suitable sup ort 82, and also around a roller 83, arranged at one side of the platen, so that the boxes are delivered adjacent to the covering devices in osition to be fed onto a suitable support ocated below the form-block'of the covering machine. On the shaft of the drum .81, is looselycarried a gear 84, having a ratchet 85 pivoted thereon; which-ratchet engages a ratchet gear 86 secured on the shaft ofthe The gear 84 is oscillated attimed intervals by a rack-bar 87, connected'to a crank arm 88, that is rocked from a suitable part of the covering machine; .by'which When the boxes are brought adjacent the covering devices they are moved in position to be entered by the form block on its descent by a feeding arm 90, that isislidable upon a rod 91, secured to the frameof the machine. A bell crank 92 pivoted onthe frame is connected with the arm 90, bya link 93, having one end slotted for adjust ment. 'The other arm of the bell-crank is connected by a link 94 with one end of a lever 95, that is pivoted on the frame. The-other end of this lever 95, has a friction roller 96,

that engages the walls of a groove 97 in a drum 98, on the main shaft 9, This groove 97 is so designed that thearm'QO is iven an intermittent reciprocation and there y feeds the boxes one by one onto a support arranged below the form-block, said arm being actuated at the proper stage in the covering operation.

My preferred means for en porting the boxes after they have been fed mm the conveyer-belt 80, comprises a pair of bracket arms 100, 100, (see Fig. 15-) secured to the slides b, on the table a, the ends 0% which arms are arranged on op osite sides of the path of movement of the ox to be covered. To the end of each bracket arm is adjustably secured a slotted arm 101, clamped to the bracket arm. 100, by a screw passing through the slot and tap ed into the said arm.100. At the lower end of each arm 101, is a head 102, that carries on the face opposite the other arm, a flexible member 103, of sufiicient rigidity tosupport the box to be covered, yet pliable enough to bend and erm-it the box to be forced down during the escent of the plunger, past the members 103. These flexible members I preferably make of bristles, the heads constituting brushes. The arm 90, previously described, moves the boxes from the conveyer belt, into the space between. the ends of the arms 100, which will then be supported by the brushes 103. An adjustable stopcomposed of a slotted bar 104 is secured to each arm 100, by a screw passing through the slotted portion of the. bar; which bar has a bent end portion 105 that acts to stop the box when it has been moved into the proper )osition on the brushes 103.

Thereupon the p unger descends causing the form-block to enter the box and carry it down past the supporting brushes, onto the coveiingblank which is resting upon the platen and thence down through the coverin devices, all of which latter parts arefu y set forth in my said'Letters Patent. Upon the return of the platen to its uppermost position, the succeeding movement of the gripper jaws. and blocks in the act of transferring another gummed blank upon the laten, the block will strike thejust cov- GIQt 'boxthat has been strippedfrom theformand force the box off .on the delivery slide, where it will be advanced by each succeeding box. Theflexible membels or bristles 103, not only serve as asupport for the box, but they serve to strip the form-block on itsreturnstroke. .The ed es of the bristles are rojected slightly into t 1eath of the form-b oak and serve to hold the oxesjtigl'ztly on the form as it descends toward the platen,- which is an important feature in orderto-secure accurate registration; and said bristles being so'projected will en-. 'gage the opposite edges of tie box on the u-. stroke of the plunger and strip it from t 1e form block allowing it to remain on the platen moved off onto the brushsupport.

ascend and thus stri ox from the fromiwhereiit be pushed off. by the blank transfierring device or carriage.

The 0 eration. of the complete a paratu's is as fol ows: The blank is taken rom the table m, and placed u on the form on the drum 25, thenthe tree e is depressed, which will cause the gripper fin ere on the drum to clamp the blank on the rum, and the drum will rotate, gumming the blank, andreturning it to its preliminary stopping position with the: fingers down. This part of the box covering operation, it will be noted, is not. entirely automatic, but is governed by the operator. But the succeeding stages are: controlledentirely independent of the opera: tor. The gummedblank remains on. the drum 25, until the 7 over and grip the lank by the two pairs ofv jaws, causing the gripper fingers to retreat into the drum, and then transfer the gummed blank to-the platen, where-it is deposited, the gripping jaws remaining in this position until the form-block and platen is carried down through the covering devices to cover box; when they will return to the gumming drum. for another gummedblank. Just as soonas the transferring jaws and connected parts have moved beyond the gumming drum, the operator puts another blank on the form, and repeats the gumming o eration by dopressing the treadle, and t enawaits the transferring of this last gummed blank. At

about the same time that the mined blank is being transferred onto thep ten, abox to be covered is moved onto. the supporting brushes by the arm? 93, which immediately retreats and permits the conveyor belt toadvanoe another box in position to be upon the plunger and formock. desee'nd. the latter entering the box and carrying it down through the brushes, and ontothe gummed blank on the-platen; and thence further down into engagement with the various, covering devices. As just mentioned, as ,soon as the-plunger is earned down, the transferring jaws return to'the umming device, to transfer another-blank. when the box has been covered,'thep laten returns to its former uppermost position,

as the plunger and form-block continue to the box from the form.- block, .leavingit on t e platen. The succeedin'g: openationof transferring agummedblank onto the platen will move the covered box off the platen onto the delivery slide.

garipping fingers are moved-v There- While I- have shown and-described certain partsof the present machine-coupled lip andcooperating with a certain typeof box covering machine,

stood as limitin myself to this particular 12a I do not wishtobe undenarrangement for 1t Wlll be obvious that these parts ma be employed in other copnections without 'eparting from the spirit of the in- 1 1 5 and the stripping mechanismengages the box,

. instrumentalities for a blank to the bottom, sides and ends of a box,

vention as e ressed in the appended'claims. Likewise it be obvious that the gumming mechanism herein shown and described, as

means, of box covering mechanism embodying a form block, a 006 erating platen and g the covering and means .movable back and forth between the ing means and covering mechanism or transferring the gummed blank from the gumming means to and depositing it upon the platen of the covering mechanism,

, said transferring means being operatively connected to and actuated from a movable part of the machine and, operating in timed relation therewith to deliver the gummed blanks at predetermined intervals.

2. In an organized machine for gumming a covering blank and for affixing said blank to a box, the combination with gumming means, of box covering mechanism embodying a reciprocatory form block, a cooperating platen and instrumentalities for afiixing the lank to the bottom, sides and ends of a box, means movable back and forth between the gumming means'and the covering mechanism for transferring the gummed blank from the gumming means'to the covering mechposition anism, said transferring means being operatlvel connected to and actuated from a mova le part of the machme and o crating -intimed relation therewith to deliver the gummed blanks at predetermined intervals, and means also 0 eratively connected to a movable part of t e machine for delivering the. boxes to the covering mechanism in to have the covering blank applied thereto.

3. In an organized machine for gumming a covering blank and for aflixing said blank to a box, the combination with gumming means, of box covering mechanism embodying a vertically movable support for the box and cover applying instrumentalities .for affixing the covering blank to the sides and ends of the box, and means movable back and forth between the gumming means and covering mechanism for transferring the glimmed blank from the gumming means to the covering mechanism, said transferring means being operatively-connected to and actuated from a movable part of the covering .mechanism and operating in timed relation therewith to deliver the gummed blanks at predetermined intervals.

clams 4. In an automatic box covering machine,

the combination with box covering mechanin timed relation to the movements of the form block.

5. In an automatic'box covering machine, the combmation with box covering mechanism, embodying a vertically reciprocatory V form-block and a cooperating platen, of

means for applying adhesive material to one surface of a covering blank, automatic means movable back and forth between the covering mechanism and adhesive applying means for transferring the blank from the adhesive applying means and depositing it upon the platen, and connecting means. between themain shaft of the box covering mechanism and said transferring means whereby these parts are operated in predetermined sequence.

6. In an automatic box covering machine, the combination with box covering mechanism, including a reciprocatory form-block and cooperating platen, of means for applying adhesive material to a covering blank, transferring means arranged to transfer .the gummed blank from the adhesive applying means to the platen, means operatively connected to the main shaft of the covering mechanism for actuating the transferring means to cause the latter to move back and forth between the covering mechanism and adhesive applying means in timed relation to the movements of the form-block, and means for temporarily arresting the move-' ment of the transferring means immediately it has deposited a blank on the platen and while the covering mechanism is operating upon a box.

7. The combination with the gumming mechanism and the platen, of transferring means comprising a guide-way, a block slidable on the guide-way between the gumming mechanism and the platen, laterally adjustable gripping jaws on the block arranged to grip a blank, springs acting to hold the jaws normally open, means for reciprocating the block, and means actuated by the reciprocating means to hold the jaws closed during their movement from the gumming means to the platen.

8. The combination with the gumming mechanism and the platen, of transferring 'means comprising a guide-way, a block engage the journaled on the block, a forwardly projecting on'said shaft, a rod connected with the guide way,

crank and being arranged when moved in one direction, to first rock. the shaft and open the jaws and then slide the block towards the gumming mechanism, and when moved in the opposite direction to first close the jaws and then slide the block to the platen.

9. The combination with the gumming mechanism and'the platen, of transferring means comprising a guide-way, a block slidable. on the guide-way between the platen and the gumming mechanism, a shaft journaled on the block transverse to the a forwardly projecting jaw membe! secured to the block and adjustable thereon transverse to the guide way, a similarjaw pivoted on said jaw member, a plate secured to said shaft and arranged to engage the movable jaw in the various positions of adjustment of said second named jaw member; a crank on said shaft, a spring tending to separate the jaws, and a rod connected with the crank and arranged to first rock the shaft and operate the jaws and then slide the block. Y

10. In an automatic box covering-machine, the combination with box-covering means, including a vertically reciprocatory form block and a platen, of a gummmg means,

a transferring means for transferring a gummed blank from the gumming means to the platen, said means comprising a pair of guide-ways, a block slidable on each guide wavapair of jaws on each block, a shaft, an upright arm on each end of the shaft, a connecting rod between the end of each arm and one of the devices, and operatmg means between the covering means and the said shaft arranged to operate the slideblocks and jaws to grip a gummed blank and transfer it to and deposit it u on the platen in timed relation with the iboxcovering mechanism.

11. In a box covering machine, the combination with the box covering mechanism,

includin a platen, of a gumming mechanism, inc uding a blank support and gripping means for retaming the ank on the support,transferr1ng means arranged to convey the gummed blank from the said blank sup-' and means on the transort 'to the platen,- erring means arranged to shift the said gripping means out of the path of movement of the blank being conveyed to the platen.

, 12. 'In-a 'box covering machine, the combination with. the covering mechanism, in-

I I eluding a plate, of 'a gumming mechanism includingv a blank supgplrt having aseries of slots'therein, gripper anism,

gcrs projecting normally through the slots and arrangedto retain the blank on the support means for raising thefingers from the support to free the blank, transferring means arranged to convey the mmed blank from the said support to t e platen, and means on the transferring means arranged to cause the said gripper finers to retreat into the support through t e slots when the gummed lank is being transferred to the platen.

13. In a box covering machine, the combination with the covering mechanism. ineluding a platen, of a gumming mechanism including a rotatable drum, gripper fingers arranged to retain the blank on the drum while being gummed, means for gumming the blank on the rotation of the ,drum, means for raising the fingers from the drum, transferring means arranged to convey the gummed blank from the said support to the platen,

and 'means on the transferring means arranged to cause the gri per fingers to retrcatdout of thepath of t e blank being conve e 1 4. In a box covering machine, the combination with covering mechanism, of a raised form for so porting a blank said form corresponding in s hape and size to the shape and size of the blank, oscillatory grip er fingers for holding the blank on sau form, means for gumming the blank while it is so held, means for transferring the gummcd blank from its support to the covering mechanism, and means for oscillating thejgripper fingers to take them out of the path of movement of the transferring means.

15. In a box covering machine, the combination with covering mechanism, of a raised form for so porting a blank said form correspondingin s rape and size to the shape and size of the blank, oscillatory gripper fingers for holding the blank on said form, means for gumming the blank while it is so held, means for transferring the gummed blank from its support to the covering mechand means for oscillating the gripper fingers to take them out of the path of movement of the transferring means, said finger oscillating means being actuated by the transferring means.

16. In a box coveringmachine, the combination with covering means, of a form for supporting a-blank, a shaft secured beneath the form, heads on the shaft, a griplper finger carried by each head and move e therein to grip a blank on the form, transferring means arrange'd'toconvey the blank from the form'to the covering mechanism, and means actuated by the transferring means for oscillating the shaft and fingers to move the latter out of the path of movement of the gummed blank being transferred to the cover- A ing mechanism. i

.17. In a box covering machine, the combination with the covering means including a platen and I a plunger normally above. the platen, of adjustable means for supporting a box between the plunger and the laten said means having flexible members arranged to Y tween theplung'er and the platen, said means including vertically adjustable brushes extending into the path of movement of the box when advanced by the plunger onto the platen.

19. In a box covering machine the combination with the covering mechanism including a platen and a lunger normally held above the plunger, of -a box support having adjustable members located on opposite sides of the path of movement of the plunger, and a brush member adjustably secured to each of said members and arranged to yieldably. support the box and permit the plunger to force the box past the brushes down onto the platen.

20.- In a box covering machine, the combination with box covering mechanism embodying a reciprocatory plunger, carrying a form-block, of an adjustable box-support locatedon opposite sides of the path of movement of said form -block, and means actuated by the plunger for feeding a box onto saidsupport.

21. In a box covering machine, the combination with box covering mechanism, embodying a reciprocatory plunger carrying a formblock, of box supports located on opposite sides of the path of movement of said form-block, said supports having portions projecting in the path of movement of the form block to constitute supports for the bottom of the box on two sides and means for feeding a box onto said supports, said means being operatively connected to and actuated by the plunger operating means.

22. In a box covering machine, the combination with the covering means including a platen and a vertically reciprocatory plunger, of a box support located between the platen and the plunger, when in their normal positions, means for feeding a-box to a position opposite the said support, and means operatively connected to the said plunger for moving the box from the feeding means onto the said support in line to be entered. by the plunger.

23. In a box covering machine, the combination with the covering Ineans, including the platen and a vertically reciprocatory plunger, of a box' support located between the platen and the plunger -when in their normal positions, an endless belt arranged to feed boxes to a position opposite the box support, and a reciprocating arm operatively connected to'the plunger arranged to move tively connectedto thex-plunger arranged to move a box from the belt onto the support in timed relation with; the movement of the plunger. u

25. The combination in a box covering machine, with the covering means including a platen and a vertically reciprocatory plunger normally located above the platen, of

means for conveying a gummed cover blank to and depositing it on the laten, means for supporting a box elevate between the platen and plunger in position to be entered by the latter, means for causing the boxjafter it has been covered to be deposited on the platen, and means on the cover conveying means arranged to engage and force the covered box off from the platen when conveying another gummed blank onto the platen.

26. In an organized machine for gumming box covering blanks and a plying sai blanks to a box shell, the com ination with box covering instrumentalities includin a vertically reciprocatory form block an a cooperating platen, of a blank sup ort havi-ng' an outline corresponding in s ape and size to the outline of the covering blank, means for holding saidblank on the support, means for ap lying adhesive to the exposed face of said bl dnk, and transferring means for conveying the blank from its su port, after it has received the adhesive, to t e platen of the box covering instrumentalities.

27. In an organized machine for gummin box covering blanks and a lying saic blanks to a box shell, the com 111811011; with box covering instrumentalities including a vertically reciprocatory form block and a cooperating platen, of a rotatable sup ort carrying a raised form having an out ine corres onding in shape and S1Z6 to the outline 0 the covering blank, means for holding the blank on the form, means for rotating the support, means for applying adhesive to the exposed face of the blank during the rotation of the support, and transferring means for conveying the gummed blank from the form to and depositing it upon the platen of the box 'covering instrumentalities.

28. In an "organizedmachine for box covering blanks and a plying sai blanks to a box'shell, the combination with box covering instrumentalities includin a vertically reciprocatory form-block an a gummini the support, means or appilying adhesive to the expo sed face of, the ank during the rotation of the said support, a transferring device for conve ing the gummed blanks from the form an depositing them upon the platen of the box covering instrumentalities,

- and means on the transferring device for throwing the grippers out of the path of movement of the transferring means.

29. In an organized machine for gummin box covering blanks and a plying said blanks to a box shell, the com mation with box covering instrumentalities includin a vertically reci rocatory form block ana cooperating liiten, of a rotatable sup rt carrying a raised form having an out me corres onding she e and size to the outline 0 the covering blank, grippers for holding the blank on the fo rm, means for rotating the support, means for a plying adhesive to ,the exposed face of the b ank during its rota 'tion, means operated by the rotation of the support 'for raising the grippers to free the vblankafter the latter has been gummed, and a transferrin I gummed blan to and depositing it upon the platen of the box covering instrumentalities.

30. In an organized machine for mmin box. covering blanks and a plying said blanks to a box shell, the com mation with box coveringinstrumentalities includin a i vertically reci rocatory form blocklan a 4 ii ce of cooperating ,p aten, of a rotatable support carrying a raised form. corresponding in shape and size to the shape and size 0 the covering blank, grippers for holding the blank on the form, means for applying adhesive to'tlie exposed face of the blank during rotation, means for locking the support against'rotation, manually operable means for releasing said locking means, and a transferring device for conveyin the gummed blank from the form to the pl aten of the box covering instrumentalities.

31. In an organized machine for gummin box covering blanks and a plying sai blanks to a box shell, the corn mation with box covering instrumentalities includin a vertically reci rotatory form block an a cooperating aten, of a rotatable support for the blan s to be ummed, grippers for holdingthe blank on t 1e support, means for locking the support against rotation, manually operable means for releasing said locking 'means,means for rotating the support, a

mining roll for a lyin adhesive to the the covering hl ank (Iuring its rotation, and a transferring device for conveying the 'gummed' blank to the platen of the box covering instrumentalities.

device for conveying the bination with box covering instrumentalities box covering blanks and a means for nn-partin 32. In an organized machine for gummin lying sai blanks to a box shell, the com mation with box covering instrumentalities ineludin a vertically reciprocatory form block an a cooperating platen, of arotatable drum for supporting a blank to be gummed, gravity a partial rotation to said drum, grippers or holding the covering blank on the drum during rotation, means for applying adhesive to the blank during its, rotation, means for locking the drum against rotation afterthe blank has been gumme'd,

and means for transferring the gummed' blank to and depositing it uponthe platen of the box covermg instrumentalities.

33. In an organized machine for minin box covering blanks and applying saic blanks to a box shell, the combination with box covering instrumentalities including a vertically recipro'catory form block and a: co-

operating platen, of a rotatable drum for supporting a blank to be gu-mmed, gravity meansafor imparting a partial rotation to said drum, gearing for completing the rotati'on thereo means for applyin adhesive to the blank during the rotation o the drum, and means for, transferring the gummed blank from the drum to the platen.

34. In a box covering machine, the comincluding a vertically reciprocatory plunger carrying a form-block adapted to support and carry a box through the covering mechanism, of means for feeding boxes one at a time beneath and in line with the formblock, comprising a pushing device and a bell crank lever connected at one end to the plunger and at its other end to the pushin evice. a 1 35. In a box covering machine, the com;

bination with boxcovermg instrumentalities 7 including a vertically reciprocatory plunger carrying a form-block for supporting and carrying the box, of means for feeding boxes one at a time beneath and in line with the form-block, comprising a slidable pusher, a bell-crank lever connected at one end to the plunger, and a link connection between the pusher and the other end of the bell crank ever.

36. In a box covering machine, the com 'bination with box covering instrumentalities including a vertically reciprocatory plunger part of the covering mechanism; whereby for supporting and carrying a box, a cooperating movable platen and cover-applying in strumentalities for affixing the covering blank to the bottom, sides and ends of a box, gummin means for completely coating one face of t e coverin blank with adhesive, a transferring device $01 carrying the gummed blank from the gummi-ng means to and depositing it upon the platen of the covering mechanism, and operative connections between the gumming means and a movable the parts operate in regular sequence, to first gum the blank, then transfer it over onto the platen, then cause the box-form to advance the box until its bottom contacts with the gumined face of the blank and continue on through the covering instrumentalities where the blank is applied to the sides and ends of the box and the edges turned over and affixed to the inner box walls. I

38. In an organized machine for gumming a covering blank and for aflixing said blank to a box, the combination with box covering mechanism embodying cover-applying instrumentalities for a g the covering blank to the bottom, sides, and ends of a box and a movable box-form for supporting and carrying the box through the saidcovering instrumentalities, a blank support, means for completely coating one face of the blank with an adhesive, means for transferring the coated blank from the adhesive applying means to the covering mechanism, and operative connections between a movable part of the said mechanism and the transferring device; whereby-the parts operate in regular sequence, to first gum the blank, then transfer said blank to the covering mechanism, then cause the box form to move the box onto'the blank and thence through the cover-applying instrumentalities where the cover is applied to the bottom,";;-

sides and ends ofthe box and the edges turned over and afiixed to the inner box walls;

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PHILIP Si: SMITH.

Witnesses:

J. 0. WILSON, WALTER RHENRY. 

